Here's What You Need to Know About Ricotta Cheese

You're going to put this stuff on everything.

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There are so many cheeses out in the world that everyone loves, and so many recipes to use cheese. I'm not going to talk about mozzarella, burrata, gouda, or feta because I feel like they've been in the spotlight for too long; it's time for ricotta cheese to shine. Unlike the cheeses listed above that give you that ooey, gooey, melty cheese effect, ricotta cheese is a little different. Though it doesn't have the same effect, you still get the soft, spreadable cheese because ricotta cheese in its natural state is a soft cheese, unlike other cheeses that might be hard. Ricotta cheese is so delicious, and for good reason, because it has the protein, calcium, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins you need.

What is Ricotta?

Ricotta cheese is made with animal milk that can range from cow, sheep, or goat, but in the U.S. it's more commonly used with cow's milk. The usual cheese-making process involves whey, the ingredient that gets separated from the process and left out, but it's actually a primary ingredient for making ricotta.

Spoon tip: You can actually try making liquid whey at home if you're interested in making ricotta cheese. If you do decide to make ricotta cheese, use fresh milk because it has more fat and milk solids to curdle (aka form those small curds).